Hi Forumites! I have been exchanging a few PM's with Otto concerning my interest in sherry, as he had provided me with a recommendation for one of his favorites recently. I purchased a few bottles and opened one last night to evaluate on my own before serving it to our guests. The following is my TN which Otto strongly encouraged me to post on the boards It is my first ever TN, not at all "Parkerite" according to O, and I present it for your evaluation.

Gonzales-Byass VORS Apostoles Palo Cortado Sherry

The appearance of this sherry in my crystal held before candlelight dazzled me with the depth and allure of an enormous, precious topaz; a shimmering pool of Jurassic amber. What an intense and captivating nose! It wouldn't release me! I felt as though all my senses were bathed in warm honey and caramels and the scent continued to cling to me like a rare and expensive perfume. I may even try wearing it as one! Owing to the 20% alcohol, this elegant sherry has impressive legs; long, slim, sensual and languorious. My first taste was so intense that it was difficult to put into words initially. The Spanish word for semi-sweet is 'abrocado' and it describes the balance of sweetness of this sherry served at room temperature perfectly. It beckoned me to taste again and again, yet it compelled me to be still while it had its way with my tastebuds. I decided that a mouthful of this Palo Cortado is like a first serious kiss, embued with a passion that communicates understanding, intention and control. As for length...I stopped counting at 100 seconds and knew it would last much longer than I. It didn't disappoint!

Last edited by DebA on Wed Sep 27, 2006 12:38 am, edited 2 times in total.

Deborah,
What a great TN. If I were that verbose, I'd use up all the ///'s in my computer!! You make it sound like a life-changing experience. More notes like that and Robin's Site here is gonna become XXX-rated!! You probably wouldn't want to try it has a perfume...it gets sorta sticky as it dries.
I've had this sherry and it is's a good an example of a PaloCortado as I've ever had;
though not sure I have the writing skills to use those words.
Thanks for sharing the note with us. Indeed...an auspicuous debut!!
Tom

This is the first TN I would describe as titilating. That's a good thing. Well done Deborah. I wish I could write like that. It almost makes me want to try sherry again. Maybe if you were pouring it... Oh wait, it's not that kind of forum!

.....we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. A. Lincoln

I see an incredibly sexy woman standing in the shadows, a hat brim casting a shadow over most of her face, but not her luscious lips. She is speaking these words in a low, slow, sultry voice: "precious topaz; a shimmering pool of Jurassic amber"..."the scent continued to cling to me like a rare and expensive perfume" ..."like a first serious kiss, embued with a passion that communicates understanding".... And I see it all in black and white, kind of like a Bogart film. And I love it. More!!! MORE!!!!

JoePerry wrote:This forum needs more tasting notes like this, and America needs more sherry-lovers like you.

Keep up the good work.

Joe

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Thank you, Joe. I meant every word and truly was enthralled with this sherry. I would appreciate some of your recommendations, as I know you enjoy sherry very much as well and I have no idea where to go after this experience!

Deborah

Last edited by DebA on Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:30 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Outstanding, Deborah! You needn't be humble, that's an ovation-rousing first effort.

To talk just a little about how we talk about wine, there are really two fundamental approaches: The purely analytical, and the personal/emotional. Both forms are valid, although you'll rarely see the latter from Parker or the Speck. You've done the personal style as well as I've ever seen it done, and I admire that.

TomHill wrote:Deborah, What a great TN. If I were that verbose, I'd use up all the ///'s in my computer!! You make it sound like a life-changing experience. More notes like that and Robin's Site here is gonna become XXX-rated!! You probably wouldn't want to try it has a perfume...it gets sorta sticky as it dries. I've had this sherry and it is's a good an example of a PaloCortado as I've ever had;though not sure I have the writing skills to use those words. Thanks for sharing the note with us. Indeed...an auspicuous debut!!Tom

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Thank you, Tom. It truly was a life-changing experience for me, and I will never forget it. Then, sharing my first TN with all of you was all at once exhilarating and nerve-wracking! I appreciate the encouragement.

Deborah

Last edited by DebA on Tue Sep 26, 2006 6:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

I've enjoyed "meeting" you on the Sunday chat and am very impressed by your first contribution.

Keep up the good work,All the best,Alex R.

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I enjoyed "meeting" you too, Alex. We northerner's have to stick together! Thank you for your kind words as well, they meant a lot to me. As I am still very much a novice, I can scarcely believe that my TN could have impressed but I thank you for taking the time to encourage my effort.

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Thank you kindly, David! It was definitely a memorable experience. It is true what they say...you never forget your first one. This sherry turned me upside down. I can hardly believe I've waited this long to have the privilege of enjoying this level of "intimacy" with a wine before! I hope to see all of you on Sunday as well.

James Roscoe wrote:This is the first TN I would describe as titilating. That's a good thing. Well done Deborah. I wish I could write like that. It almost makes me want to try sherry again. Maybe if you were pouring it... Oh wait, it's not that kind of forum!

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Trust me, James, a confident woman never minds any effort of hers being referred to as titilating and knows it is a good thing, when wielded with discretion, of course Seriously, thank you very much for the comments, as I value yours very much, and hope I truly have encouraged you to try sherry again!

OW Holmes wrote:I see an incredibly sexy woman standing in the shadows, a hat brim casting a shadow over most of her face, but not her luscious lips. She is speaking these words in a low, slow, sultry voice: "precious topaz; a shimmering pool of Jurassic amber"..."the scent continued to cling to me like a rare and expensive perfume" ..."like a first serious kiss, embued with a passion that communicates understanding".... And I see it all in black and white, kind of like a Bogart film. And I love it. More!!! MORE!!!!

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Why, thank you kind sir. You made my night, Mr. Holmes! To have put my heartfelt words in the context of a Bogart film noir...I'm stunned with your capacity to understand exactly where I was emotionally with this tasting. Were you peeking in my window? As an aside, there has never been, nor could there ever be, another Bogie. He was, to me, the consummate actor and professional. I also agree with you that B/W movies conveyed a depth and stark realism that color never can. As pretty as they may be to watch, they have little true depth. That is only seen when one strips away the distractions of decoration and leaves the nakedness of our wanting mortality behind.